Smart video game board system and methods

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for creating a playable video game from user-generated artwork. The systems and methods include a smart game board system having a plurality of recesses arranged in a grid and configured to accept an RFID tag embedded in a block. As the user places blocks in the recesses, an antenna system detects which recesses contain blocks, and the color or another identifier of the block. This information is transmitted to a computer system for translation into playable video game data, such as level data or a skin or image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/318,409, filed Apr. 5, 2016, and is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/424,190, filed Feb. 3, 2017, which is a Continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/533,771, filed Nov. 5, 2014, and issued on Feb. 28, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,579,573, which in turn claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/833,336, filed Jun. 10, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/909,836, filed Nov. 27, 2013, and which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/273,267, filed May 8, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,370,721 granted on Jun. 21, 2016, which also claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/833,336, filed Jun. 10, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/909,836, filed Nov. 27, 2013. The entire disclosure of all these documents is incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a user drawing game level artwork.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of game level artwork.

FIGS. 3-7 depict embodiments of blank game level artwork graph paper.

FIGS. 8A-8D depict an embodiment of drawing rules and/or instructions.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a user imaging game level artwork using an imaging device.

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a sprite sheet.

FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of a game level generated from game level artwork and a sprite sheet.

FIGS. 12-13 depict an embodiment of designing and/or customizing a generated game level.

FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment of testing a generated game level.

FIGS. 15-16 depict an embodiment of an application for viewing, editing, and/or playing a generated game level.

FIG. 17 depicts an embodiment having social networking features.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart an embodiment of a method for creating a playable video game from art.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a system for creating a playable video game from art.

FIG. 20 depicts an embodiment of an iterative semantic context parser.

FIGS. 21A and 21B depict embodiments of a three-dimensional model for use with the systems and methods, in which the glyphs are generally cubic blocks.

FIG. 22 depicts an exploded view of a system using a digital game board to detect the location and identification of blocks, instead of an imaging system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

This disclosure is related to the field of interactive video games, specifically to user-based creating or generating of a playable interactive video game.

The video game boom of the 1980s spawned a generation of fans who dreamed of designing their own video games. However, early video game platforms, including the Nintendo® Entertainment System, were primarily developed in eight-bit processor assembly languages, which were generally considered difficult to work with, even for experienced programmers. For young fans, learning to develop an actual game was effectively impossible, and aspiring young game designers instead drew their designs on paper, but have never been able to translate those designs directly into a playable video game.

Current game editors do not fill this void. Although some video game products include level editors, they only allow for software-based editing and do not interpret hand-drawn art. For example, in a typical game level editor, a graphical user interface (“GUI”) allows the user to select a terrain brush, draw terrain using that brush, and place other game elements onto the terrain, but this is all done on a literal basis. That is, the elements manipulated by the player in the GUI are game literals, having a one-to-one correspondence to the resulting game element in the game level data. However, there is no way for the user to draw the level outside of a level editor.

Additionally, there is recently an increased interest in bridging the gulf between real-world play and video game play, particularly in educational settings. Players increasingly enjoy a connection between physical objects in the real world, and the elements of video game play that exist solely within the game. For example, the successful Skylanders® “toys-to-life” games use real-world toys with embedded RFID tags. If the figures are placed anywhere on a physical “portal” device (which includes a sensor) plugged into the video game system, the RFID tag is detected and a virtual in-game version of the toy is “unlocked” and becomes playable. This allows users to have both physical, real-world toys to play with, which also unlock the same characters within the game. A similar system was later introduced featuring various Disney® characters, known as Disney® Infinity.

These systems all have the same basic functionality—a toy with an RFID tag is placed on a platform and unlocks a corresponding pre-programmed model in the game. However, the players do not actually construct anything from their own imaginations that appear in the game, but rather there is simply a one-to-one correlation between the physical toys and the pre-programmed in-game models corresponding to them. Even the Lego® Dimensions® toy, which does allow the player to construct something, follows this model, as the Lego® figures purchases are simply pre-programmed into the game. What is needed in the art is a toys-to-life portal that allows the player to create a model from his or her own imagination that is then imported into the game for play.

SUMMARY

The following detailed description and disclosure illustrates by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed systems and methods, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the disclosed systems and apparatus. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosures, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Throughout this disclosure, the term “computer” describes hardware which generally implements functionality provided by digital computing technology, particularly computing functionality associated with microprocessors. The term “computer” is not intended to be limited to any specific type of computing device, but it is intended to be inclusive of all computational devices including, but not limited to: processing devices, microprocessors, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, workstations, terminals, servers, clients, portable computers, handheld computers, smart phones, tablet computers, mobile devices, server farms, hardware appliances, minicomputers, mainframe computers, video game consoles, handheld video game products, and wearable computing devices including but not limited to eyewear, wristwear, pendants, and clip-on devices.

As used herein, a “computer” is necessarily an abstraction of the functionality provided by a single computer device outfitted with the hardware and accessories typical of computers in a particular role. By way of example and not limitation, the term “computer” in reference to a laptop computer would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to include the functionality provided by pointer-based input devices, such as a mouse or track pad, whereas the term “computer” used in reference to an enterprise-class server would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to include the functionality provided by redundant systems, such as RAID drives and dual power supplies.

It is also well known to those of ordinary skill in the art that the functionality of a single computer may be distributed across a number of individual machines. This distribution may be functional, as where specific machines perform specific tasks; or, balanced, as where each machine is capable of performing most or all functions of any other machine and is assigned tasks based on its available resources at a point in time. Thus, the term “computer” as used herein, can refer to a single, standalone, self-contained device or to a plurality of machines working together or independently, including without limitation: a network server farm, “cloud” computing system, software-as-a-service, or other distributed or collaborative computer networks.

Those of ordinary skill in the art also appreciate that some devices which are not conventionally thought of as “computers” nevertheless exhibit the characteristics of a “computer” in certain contexts. Where such a device is performing the functions of a “computer” as described herein, the term “computer” includes such devices to that extent. Devices of this type include but are not limited to: network hardware, print servers, file servers, NAS and SAN, load balancers, and any other hardware capable of interacting with the systems and methods described herein in the matter of a conventional “computer.”

Throughout this disclosure, the term “software” refers to code objects, program logic, command structures, data structures and definitions, source code, executable and/or binary files, machine code, object code, compiled libraries, implementations, algorithms, libraries, or any instruction or set of instructions capable of being executed by a computer processor, or capable of being converted into a form capable of being executed by a computer processor, including without limitation virtual processors, or by the use of run-time environments, virtual machines, and/or interpreters. Those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that software can be wired or embedded into hardware, including without limitation onto a microchip, and still be considered “software” within the meaning of this disclosure. For purposes of this disclosure, software includes without limitation: instructions stored or storable in RAM, ROM, flash memory BIOS, CMOS, mother and daughter board circuitry, hardware controllers, USB controllers or hosts, peripheral devices and controllers, video cards, audio controllers, network cards, Bluetooth® and other wireless communication devices, virtual memory, storage devices and associated controllers, firmware, and device drivers. The systems and methods described here are contemplated to use computers and computer software typically stored in a computer- or machine-readable storage medium or memory.

Throughout this disclosure, terms used herein to describe or reference media holding software, including without limitation terms such as “media,” “storage media,” and “memory,” may include or exclude transitory media such as signals and carrier waves.

Throughout this disclosure, the terms “web,” “web site,” “web server,” “web client,” and “web browser” refer generally to computers programmed to communicate over a network using the HyperText Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”), and/or similar and/or related protocols including but not limited to HTTP Secure (“HTTPS”) and Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“SHTP”). A “web server” is a computer receiving and responding to HTTP requests, and a “web client” is a computer having a user agent sending and receiving responses to HTTP requests. The user agent is generally web browser software.

Throughout this disclosure, the term “glyph” means a symbol, letter, number, pictogram, structure, gesture, tone, mark, or element which, in a given use case domain, has or is indicative of or contributive to semantic meaning. While in typography and linguistics, the term “glyph” generally means a written mark, in the present application the term is defined more broadly to include other indicators of meaning, as described herein. For example, a “glyph” as used herein may comprise a three-dimensional symbol or object, including but not necessarily limited to blocks or cubes, tactile languages such as Braille, poker chips, chess pieces, and so on. A glyph may also be four-dimensional, including but not necessarily limited to motion-based glyphs which acquire semantic meaning over time, such as sign languages and gestures. A glyph may also be non-visual in nature, such as auditory glyphs like musical notes, tones, animal noises, or spoken language. A particular glyph may have different semantic meanings in different use case domains.

Throughout this disclosure, the term “use case domain” means a particular field or application which may have or use conventional, standard, predefined or generally known symbols, glyphs, pictograms, gestures, tones, sounds, or structures to indicate elements used or known in the particular field or application. For example, it is common in network design to use a cloud to symbolize a network. Also by way of example and not limitation, it is common in electrical or circuit diagrams to indicate the presence of a resistor using a pictogram comprising a jagged line.

The terms “level” and/or “video game level” are a term of art hailing from the golden age of gaming, when video games generally comprised a sequence of playable levels with defined beginnings and endings. This includes, but is not limited to, games like Pac-Man™, Donkey Kong™, and the well-known Nintendo® Entertainment System product Super Mario Brothers™ which was noted for its level notation (e.g., 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 2-1, etc.). One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the term “level” has become a term of art referring to a defined playable space within a particular video game, and the particular structure and form of such space necessarily varies from genre to genre. By way of example and not limitation, a “level” in a side scroller-style like Super Mario Brothers™ generally comprises a beginning point and goal and, when the player reaches or achieves the goal, the player has “finished” or “beaten” the level and begins play on an alternative level. For other genres, such as a first person shooter, a “game level” is generally a map defining a limited three-dimensional space in which game play occurs until a condition is met, such as the expiration of time, defeating a certain number of opponents, or locating an “exit.” In still other genres, a “level” may lack clearly defined beginning and end points. By way of example and not limitation, in an online role-playing game, players generally move smoothly from one “map” to another without having to achieve any particular condition, and a “game level” in such an embodiment may comprise data indicative of adjacent “game levels” on which the player can play by departing the current game level. In still further embodiments, a “game level” may comprise other data or take other forms particular to the genre. The concept of a “game level” and the meaning of that term will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art as the term applies to a particular video game genre.

A “video game element” is an element of a playable video game which contributes to the user experience, including but not necessarily limited to: world design, system design, content design, event design, level design, audio design, graphic design, model design, user interface design, narrative design, and multiplayer design. Video game elements may comprise any audiovisual element of the game and generally comprise interactive elements of the game, such as the setting and geography of the game, and the objects or features in the game with which the player can interact.

Certain video game elements are defined functionally with respect to the player avatar in the game. The term “avatar” will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to refer to the “character” or other representation of the player which is manipulated by the player while playing the game and is generally the mechanism for player agency within the video game. The functional definition of interactive video game elements will vary from genre and genre and game to game. By way of example and not limitation, side scrollers such as Super Mario Brothers™ typically include interactive game elements which injure, damage, or heal the player upon collision detection, or which provide for “loot” to the player upon collision. These interactive game elements may have further characteristics, such as that they are subject to gravity physics (or not), they are stationary (or not), or they only cause injury, damage, or healing if collision is detected from certain angles (e.g., dorsal collision does not cause damage, but lateral collision does). While interactive video game elements are defined functionally, they are typically represented visually as a game literal. For example, an element causing damage upon collision detection might have a game literal such as fire, spikes, thorns, or an enemy. Interactive game elements have a functional relationship to the player avatar, whereas non-interactive game elements, such as the score counter or game music, generally are experienced or used by the player but not directly used for interaction by the avatar.

A “video game literal” or “game literal” as used herein generally references to the aesthetic appearance of a video game element. More than a matter of merely “skinning” a pre-defined game model, selection of a game literal for a game element is effectively arbitrary, as the game literal defines the narrative or associative meaning of the game element, as opposed to the functional meaning. The choice of game literal may generally bear some relationship to the functional game element as a matter of design choice and information efficiency, it need not. For example, for a game element such as damage upon collision detection, the game literal will generally be something that a typical user will associate with causing injury when touched, such as a very sharp object (spikes) or a very hot object (fire). This is so that the game can quickly and efficiently communicate to the player information about how the avatar will interact with the game environment, without the player having to read lengthy instructions or tutorial lessons.

It should be understood that while terms such as “level data” and “video game level” are defined and used herein with respect to video game use case domains, other use case domains are specifically contemplated and alternative formats and engines/drivers/renderers may be used for other use case domains. By way of example and not limitation, in the use case domain of an electrical schematic diagram, the output format may not be video game level data, but rather a CAD file used or usable by a CAD engine, driver, or renderer as an input file. Generally speaking, the accumulator produces data in a format usable by productivity or business software, or used or usable directly by an end-user, for a particular use case domain.

At a high level, the systems and methods described herein comprise an image processing system, a translation system, and a generation system, though additional component systems or subsystems may be included. One or more these components may be implemented as software instructions on a computer system. Generally, a user creates a model having glyphs selected from a pre-defined glyph language, the image capturing system creates a digital image of the model, the translation system converts the glyphs in the digital image into a game element (generally an interactive game element), and the generation system assembles the translated glyphs into a playable video game or video game level. These and other components are discussed in further detail herein.

FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment of the systems and methods described herein. In the depicted embodiment, a user forms, creates, or generates a real-world model (1800), such as the model (1917) depicted in FIG. 19. The model (1917) generally includes one or more glyphs (1919). In the typical embodiment, the model (1917) is a two-dimensional hand-drawn video game level, such as that depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it is specifically contemplated that the model (1917) may be a three-dimensional model, such as a matrix of cubes or blocks. An exemplary embodiment using such a model is described elsewhere herein. Also in the typical embodiment, the model (1917) is drawn on draft/graph paper, such as that depicted in FIGS. 3-7. However, it is specifically contemplated that a three-dimensional model (1917) may be assembled on a board, matrix, or other three-dimensional structure. An exemplary embodiment using such a model is described elsewhere herein. Although drawings are generally contemplated, the model (1917) may comprise any work having one or more glyphs (1919) and which can be imaged. By way of example and not limitation, and as described below, the model (1917) may comprise a three-dimensional structure such as a sculpture or model made from blocks. Alternatively, the model (1917) may comprise a two-dimensional medium used to represent a three-dimensional object, such an isometric drawing and/or a set of orthographic drawings. In a still further embodiment, the model may comprise a four-dimensional object which acquires meaning over time, such as sign language or a gesture. For sake of simplicity and clarity, the term “model” shall be used herein to refer to all user-generated works for use with the systems and methods, regardless of shape, dimension, or medium.

In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the model (1917) is drawn on draft/graph paper, such as that depicted in FIGS. 3-7. Although drawings are generally contemplated, the model (1917) may comprise any work having one or more glyphs (1919) and which can be imaged. By way of example and not limitation, and as described below, the model (1917) may comprise a three-dimensional structure such as a sculpture or model made from blocks. Alternatively, the model (1917) may comprise a two-dimensional medium used to represent a three-dimensional object, such an isometric drawing and/or a set of orthographic drawings. In a still further embodiment, the model may comprise a four-dimensional object which acquires meaning over time, such as sign language or a gesture. For sake of simplicity and clarity, the term “model” shall be used herein to refer to all user-generated works for use with the systems and methods, regardless of shape, dimension, or medium.

Generally, a game level is drawn on graph paper divided into a plurality of grids or sectors, with each glyph being generally drawn on one or more sectors and conforming to the provided grid lines. Exemplary embodiments of such graph paper are depicted in FIGS. 3-7. The use of paper improves the performance and accuracy of other modules described herein by providing identifiably indications of the boundary lines between glyphs. This improves the performance of parsing modules in identify glyphs by allowing the model to be segmented into a plurality of locations on the model (referred to herein as “sectors”) which present a smaller amount of data to analyze and process. Other embodiments using alternative media may use similar techniques in different embodiments to provide cues to the processing algorithms of where glyphs may begin and end.

This sectoring technique may be used in an embodiment to establish a one-to-one correlation between a point on the model and a location on the screen. That is, the systems and method may use sectoring to locating on the computing device display on which the game is ultimately played a display location for a sector corresponding to its respective, relative position on the model. This may or may not also be the corresponding position in the video game produced using this method, depending on factors such as the dimensions of the game space.

FIG. 21A depicts an alternative embodiment of the systems and methods wherein the real world model (1917) is a three-dimensional model. In the depicted embodiment, the glyphs (1919A) comprise generally cubic blocks. Each block (1919A) is generally monochromatic, but different blocks (1919A) may be different colors. The blocks/glyphs (1919A) are generally arranged on a game design board (1923) or a template (1923) having a generally orthogonal grid system (1925) for holding blocks (1919A) in place. The depicted grid system (1925) comprises a series of generally square recesses formed by orthogonal raised edges. The depicted grid recesses are slightly larger in size than the typical dimensions of the blocks (1919A). This allows the blocks (1919A) to be easily seated in, and removed from, the grid sectors, but also are a tight enough fit that the blocks will not move substantially once seated. This is important because when the model (1917) is imaged, the blocks are preferably arranged in generally orthogonal fashion to simplify processing and improve glyph recognition accuracy (described elsewhere herein). The orthogonal layout of the depicted embodiment generally corresponds to the “tiled” approach of side-scrollers and runner games; that is, each block/glyph is one game tile in a game level.

A similar board (1923) or template (1923) is also depicted in FIG. 21B, wherein the grid sectors (1925) comprise a relatively deep recess, such that a majority of the height of the block (1919A) is contained within the grid recess. This has the advantage of further minimalizing movement of the block (1919A) within the grid recess, and reducing the likelihood of a block (1919A) being dislodged if the board (1923) is bumped or upset. While the blocks (1919A) may be generally flush or even recessed within a grid with respect to the top surface of the template (1923), it is generally preferred that at least some amount of the block (1919A) is above the elevation of the grid system (1925) for ease or removing the blocks (1919A). In an alternative embodiment (not depicted), a device may be used to remove the blocks (1919A). By way of example and not limitation, the device may be a wand with a suction cup at one end, or the blocks (1919A) may include magnets and the device comprises a magnetized element which pulls the blocks (1919A) out of the grid system (1925).

It should be further noted that, as with two-dimensional hand-drawn models, the block (1919A) model (1917) may comprise “blank” glyphs (1920). In the three-dimensional block model (1917), the blank glyph (1920) is simply an empty grid sector or recess (1925). The bottom of the grid sector may be specially colored, such as white, to improve accurate recognition of a “blank” glyph (1920), or may alternatively or additionally comprise a special symbol printed or otherwise indicated, such as an “X” or “O” or other easily recognized character or symbol.

Users generally create the model at least in part according to a glyph language. A glyph language generally comprises a set of glyphs and an associated set of rules or instructions indicating how patterns, symbols, glyphs, marks, shapes, arrangements, elements of a glyph or model correspond to or are associated with game elements in various contexts. Examples include, but are not limited to, terrain, sky, obstacles, levels, heroes, terrain, hazard pits, monkey bars, moving platforms, spikes, barriers, portals, powerups, floors, ceiling, boundaries, and the like. One embodiment of such rules or instructions is depicted in FIG. 8. The elements of a glyph that have meaning in a glyph language will depend on the nature of the glyphs and models.

By way of example and not limitation, in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 21, the blocks (1919A) are all generally the same shape and size and are semantically differentiated in the glyph language by color. In an alternative embodiment, the block shape and/or size may also vary, and/or blocks may have special symbols or additional glyphs on different sides. This allows for further variation with the glyph language by increasing options without requiring additional physical objects. For example, if the use case is an isometric or top-down adventure game or roleplaying game using a map, such as The Legend of Zelda® or the Ultima® series, the color of the block may indicate a terrain type on the game map. A symbol on the block could then indicate particular terrain features. For example, a green block may indicate grassland terrain, whereas a green block with a line from the center of one side to the center of the opposing side indicates a road across grassland terrain in the orientation of the line. A circle with a dot in the middle may indicate a spawn point or trigger, and so forth. Obviously, in particular embodiments, the specific rules will vary according to the preferences and imaginary of the individual designing the glyph language. Without limitation, in a glyph language using blocks, semantic meaning may be derived in whole or in part, alone or combination, from block size, shape, color, texture, orientation, proximity to other blocks or elements, adjacent blocks, and adjacent blanks.

The depicted embodiment of FIG. 18 further comprises capturing an image of the model (1802), generally using an image processing system. In an embodiment, the image processing system is a digital imaging device, such as the device (1903) depicted in FIG. 19. The image processing system generally generates or creates raw image data in a computer-readable format, the data being indicative or representative of the model. The raw image data may be stored in a memory, including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Such data is generally referred to herein as the raw image data.

Typically, the image processing system includes a digital camera, which may also be integrated into or otherwise attached to, attachable to, able to communicate with, or communicating with a computer system, such as a tablet PC or mobile phone. An embodiment of such a system is depicted in FIG. 9. However, in alternative embodiments, the image processing system may comprise a different imaging device. By way of example and not limitation, the image processing system may comprise a three dimensional scanner or a medical imaging device, such as CT, PET, or MRI device. In another alternative embodiment, the image processing system may comprise a motion sensing and/or capturing device, including but not necessarily limited to the Microsoft® Kinect™ sensor. In a still further alternative embodiment, the image processing system may comprise, or be comprised by, a wearable device, including but not necessarily limited to: eyewear, wristwear, neckwear, a device attached or attachable to clothing or accessories, or Google® Glass.

Raw image data is generally provided to computer software which identifies in the image the data glyphs in the real-world model and translates the identified glyphs into game elements. The raw image data (1804) may first be prepared for this processing, such as by the preprocessing module (1907) depicted in FIG. 19. The depicted preprocessing module performs various alterations, modifications, and transformations to raw image data to standardize, normalize, and/or otherwise prepare the image data for processing by downstream modules. These transformations include, but are not necessarily limited to: straightening; aligning; orienting; reducing distortions, lens flares, and/or other image artifacts; sharpening; altering image characteristics including but not limited to color, hue, shadow, tone, lighting, and/or contrast; cropping; finding, identifying, and/or using boundary markers or position indicators. These preprocessing steps may improve overall glyph recognition performance and reduce development time by providing image data in a standard format. For example, a recognition module (described elsewhere herein) may achieve better performance if the raw image data has a particular orientation.

The preprocessor (1907) generally generates altered image data, generally referred to herein as preprocessed image data. This data may replace or overwrite raw image data, or may be stored separately from raw image data. Preprocessed image data may be stored in a memory or non-transitory computer-readable storage and may be transmitted or provided to, or received from, a module or computer. In an embodiment, a plurality of preprocessed image data sets may be generated for a single model.

In an embodiment, geometric criteria are used to identify boundary markers (e.g., markers 2121 as depicted in FIGS. 21A and 21B) and determine whether the imaging system is properly centered on the model or artwork. This may be done by identifying one or more candidate boundary markers (1921) and evaluating each such candidate boundary marker (1921), particularly with respect to the geometric relationship between or among a plurality of such candidate boundary markers (1921). A plurality of combinations of boundary markers (1921) may be considered, sorted, or otherwise analyzed to identify a best match for an anticipated or predefined geometric arrangement of boundary markers (1921). By way of example and not limitation, the criteria may include whether a plurality of candidate boundary markers (1921) are generally collinear, or whether a particular set of generally collinear boundary markers are generally perpendicular to another set of generally collinear boundary markers (1921). A still further criteria may be whether a plurality of boundary markers (1921) are generally equidistant from one another or from a reference boundary marker (1921).

Preprocessed image data is generally processed by a recognizer module (1806), such as the recognizer module (1909) depicted in FIG. 19. The recognizer module (1909) generally parses or processes the preprocessed image to identify, locate, or recognize symbols, glyphs, marks, shapes, or other elements of the model corresponding to a game element. This may be done by finding data patterns in the preprocessing image data corresponding to a particular glyph (1919), suggesting that the corresponding glyph (1919) appears on the original model (1917). These data patterns may be predefined, preprogrammed, hard-coded, or otherwise supplied to the recognizer module (1909). The data patterns generally comprise indications of a glyph (1919) and/or other elements or symbols in the model (1917). In a typical embodiment, the system is trained to recognize glyphs in advance of release as a consumer-grade product. Although the systems and methods may be implemented through optical character recognition, training the system on data patterns reduces processing demand at runtime. In effect, the recognizer module (1909) need only recognize data patterns, without regard to the appearance of the associated glyph.

The recognizer (1909) generally generates or creates a dataset comprising data indicative of one or more glyphs (1919), or other elements of the model (1917), recognized in the preprocessed image data. This dataset is generally referred to herein as glyph data. Glyph data may be stored in a memory or non-transitory computer-readable storage and/or may be transmitted to or received from a module or computer. In an embodiment, this dataset may further comprise other data indicative of characteristics of an identified glyph (1919), including but not necessarily limited to: the color of the glyph (1919); the identification of glyphs (1919) adjacent to the glyph (1919); the position or location of the glyph (1919) in the model (1917).

In an embodiment, the recognizer (190) a segmenting process to process preprocessed image data on a sector-by-sector basis. For example, where the model is hand-draw artwork on graph paper having grid lines, the grid lines may be used to segment the model into a plurality of grid locations, or “sectors,” with each grid location potentially having a glyph drawn thereon. Alternatively, where the model is a three-dimensional model using blocks in a grid system (1925), the raised grid edges defining the boundaries of the grid recesses into which blocks are placed map to a sector. Using the preprocessing features described herein, the graph paper (or board (1923) may be oriented properly for such grid lines (or edges/recesses (1925)) to be algorithmically detected by software, increasing the speed and accuracy of other modules, such as the recognition module, in finding and identifying glyphs.

In an embodiment, the recognizer (1909) is implemented iteratively, such as through sequential execution of a plurality of support vector machine classifiers for each glyph in the glyph language. Each such classifier may determine whether the preprocessed image data, or a portion thereof (such as a sector), matches a particular glyph or not. If a particular glyph is recognized, the classification process terminates as to that glyph, and/or that portion of the preprocessed image data. If the glyph is not recognized, the next classifier in the plurality of classifiers may be executed to search for another particular glyph. A classifier may determine whether preprocessed image data matches a particular glyph by, for example, analyzing whether preprocessed image data includes a data pattern identical, similar, indicative of, or related to data patterns associated with the particular glyph the classifier is programmed to recognize. The recognizer may also store in the glyph data the corresponding sector in which an identified glyph is located.

In an embodiment, glyph data is processed by a semantic module, such as the semantic module (1911) depicted in FIG. 19. The semantic module (1911) generally determines the correct game element to translate each glyph into, and generates semantic data containing this game element. Generally, the glyph is translated into a functional meaning—that is, to an interactive game element, and not necessarily a game literal. The translation is generally based upon the glyph language, the glyph context, and a use case domain. It is important to understand certain distinctions between the semantic module (1911) and the recognizer module (1909). Whereas the recognizer (1909) identifies which glyphs are in the model and where they are found, the semantic module (1911) interprets what the glyphs mean in context. For example, a “blank” glyph (1920)—that is, a sector with no user-indicated markings or symbols—may mean “sky” in one context and may mean “ground” in another, as provided by the glyph language. The context of a glyph generally comprises the glyphs directly adjacent to it, but may also include, without limitation: the color of the glyph (1919); the identification of glyphs (1919) adjacent to the glyph; the position or location of the glyph (1919) on the model (1917); glyph or context borders, glyphs indirectly adjacent to the glyph; and/or other context or glyph (1919) characteristics.

The semantic module (1911) generally generates or creates semantic data based at least in part on glyph data. Such semantic data generally comprises data indicative of one or more game elements, such elements generally being interactive game elements having functional meaning, translated from glyph data. The game elements are generally associated with a glyph (1919) in the glyph language.

In an embodiment, the semantic module performs multiple passes through the glyph data. This is because some glyphs require little or no context to be translated to a game element, but the corresponding functional meaning of other glyphs may not be determined without additional context, such as by translating adjacent glyphs. In a pass through the data, additional glyphs are translated, or attempted to be translated, to game elements. As successive passes through the glyph data provide incrementally more context, more and more glyphs can be translated to game elements, until all glyphs have been fully translated. The process of translating a glyph is referred to herein as “resolving” the glyph. Some glyphs may be only partially resolved during a pass, and then fully resolved in a subsequent pass.

This may be better understood with reference to an illustrative example. Suppose the glyph language defines a rectangle glyph (or, for a block-based model as in FIGS. 21A and 21B, one or more adjacent brown blocks) as having the functional meaning of a static traversable. This function may correspond to an effectively limitless number of game literals, including but not limited to: ground, a roof, a floor, a platform, a tree branch, a ship deck, a table top, or a force field. However, if the rectangle glyph is adjacent to an arrow glyph (or, for a block-based model as in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the final brown block on one end has an arrow on it), the glyph language provides that the functional meaning changes from static traversable to a movable traversable. Thus, although the rectangle glyph can be identified without identifying or resolving the adjacent arrow glyph (a recognizer function), the functional meaning of the rectangle glyph is not fully resolved until the adjacent arrow glyph is resolved (a semantic function).

Likewise, the functional meaning of the arrow glyph cannot be fully determined until the rectangle glyph is at least partially resolved. Thus, multiple passes are needed—first to partially resolve the rectangle glyph into a static traversable, second to resolve the arrow glyph, and third to fully resolve the rectangle glyph. It should be noted that, in an embodiment, certain glyph resolutions can be combined in a single pass. This may be done for, among other things, processing or development efficiency. In this illustrative example, resolving the arrow glyph and resolving the movable traversable could be handled in a single pass. The particular composition of each pass will necessarily vary with the particular glyph language, and with the programming techniques used to identify glyphs. For a given glyph language, many different algorithmic approaches are possible to resolve all glyphs. This is but one illustrative example and should not be understood as limiting.

In an embodiment, the semantic module may create and/or maintain a data structure for tracking and updating glyph resolution. This is generally stored and maintained in a computer-readable medium operatively coupled to a processor and other typical computer hardware. By way of example and not limitation, this data structure may comprise a context table or context graph having context data. A context graph may comprise a one or more datasets corresponding to a sector and each such dataset may be used to track and update context data and/or glyph resolution data for the corresponding sector. This approach is particularly useful for glyphs which resolve to functions that have few or no data analogs in the resulting video game level data (discussed elsewhere herein), such as empty or open space, as it can reduce the memory footprint and increase processing efficiency. By way of example and not limitation, a semantic module pass may indicate that a given blank glyph has a “sky” function (passable/no collision detection) and update the context graph data corresponding to that given sector to have a “sky” context.

This also may be better understood with reference to an illustrative example. In an embodiment, the glyph language defines the “blank” glyph as having a different meaning in different contexts. For example, a blank glyph may have a “sky” function (passable/no collision detection) in one context and a “ground” function (impassable/collision detection) in another (e.g., the blank glyph is enclosed in a polygon glyph defining a static traversable). To determine whether a given blank glyph is “sky” or “ground,” the semantic module may complete one or more passes through the glyph data to develop sufficient context data to determine which functional meaning to apply to each blank glyph. An example of this technique is depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 20.

In the depicted flow chart, a context graph is created (2000) in memory comprising data corresponding to sectors. The context for each sector is initially defaulted to an “unknown” value (2002), such as a program constant. In the depicted embodiment, the system determines whether any sectors remain unknown (2004) at the beginning of each iteration, though this step may be carried out during or after each iteration in an alternative embodiment. The choice of when to perform this check is an implementation detail generally left to a programmer's design discretion. If no sectors remain unknown, the context parsing may terminate (2006). However, if sectors remain unknown, additional iterations may proceed to examine additional unknown contexts or glyphs and resolve them (2008).

Continuing the illustrative example, during early passes, glyphs whose functional meaning is not highly context-dependent may be resolved and functional meanings assigned. Similarly, glyphs which provide context meaning (whether or not they can be resolved during the pass) may be used to determine context meaning for themselves and/or for adjacent glyphs or sectors. By way of example and not limitation, if a “+” glyph (or, e.g., a yellow block in FIGS. 21A and 21B) means a static game object removed upon collision (e.g., a coin, a power-up a balloon, ammunition), the functional rules for such an object imply that it belongs in a “sky” context (i.e., passable/no collision detection). This is because the functional meaning of the glyph is defined by contact with the avatar, and this function would be unusable in a “ground” context (impassable/collision detection) because the avatar could not reach it.

Continuing the illustrative example, when the “+” glyph (or yellow block) is found in the glyph data, its corresponding function can be determined (2010) and its associated functional meaning can be applied (2012), such as by referring to the glyph language and/or use case domain. The resulting game element is then added to the semantic data (2012). Likewise, this glyph provides context (2014) to adjacent “blank” glyphs (e.g., also “sky” context) and the context graph for such adjacent glyphs can be updated (2016) to reflect the context discovered during this pass. This in turn allows additional blank glyphs, adjacent to the blank glyphs adjacent to the “+”/yellow glyph, to be assigned functional meaning—again, “sky.” A flood-fill algorithm may be used to repeat this process and locate all such “blank” glyph locations in the context graph and indicate “sky” context for such glyphs in the context graph. In an embodiment, the “flood fill” algorithm may be performed in the same pass as the identification of the “+”/yellow glyph, or in one or more subsequent passes.

Continuing the illustrative example, some glyphs may have context-sensitive functional meanings, meaning at least some context is resolved before the glyph is resolved. By way of example and not limitation, an “X” glyph (or red block) may have the functional meaning in the glyph language of avatar damage upon collision detection in one context (e.g., a game literal of lava, spikes, or fire) but of suspended avatar physics in another (e.g., monkey bars). Thus, when an “X”/red glyph is found, adjacent glyphs are evaluated to determine context and identify the corresponding functional meaning for a particular “X”/red glyph. If the adjacent glyphs have not yet been resolved, the functional meaning for “X”/red may not yet be determinable (2010), and the glyph is not yet assigned functional meaning. However, the glyph may still provide context information (2014) whether or not its functional meaning is determinable during the pass.

Continuing the illustrative example, contexts may also be resolved by algorithmically locating the borders of a given context and assigning glyphs on the opposing side of the border with an opposing context. By way of example and not limitation, if a blank glyph is known to have a “sky” context and the borders of the “sky” context are defined as a closed polygon, the blank glyphs within the enclosed polygon on the opposing side of the border of the “sky” context are necessarily “ground” context and can be translated (2016) as such, and the context graph updated accordingly.

Continuing the illustrative example, still other glyphs may require a completed or nearly-completed context graph to be resolved. By way of example and not limitation, an arrow glyph such as “>” might apply motion physics to adjacent impassable/collision detection game elements to form a moving platform. This may, in an embodiment, require otherwise complete context data. As such, glyphs corresponding to directional movement and/or distance may be resolved in the latter passes after most, or all, of the context graph is complete and few or no “unknown” locations remain. By way of example and not limitation, where the object is a moving land mass such as a platform, the moving platform may be identified algorithmically and direction and distance determined from the motion physics glyph (or glyphs) applicable to that platform as provided in the glyph language and/or use case domain. Again, a context graph (2016) and/or semantic data (2012) may be updated with the resulting context data and/or game element data.

In an embodiment, semantic data is processed by an accumulator module, such as the accumulator module (1913) depicted in FIG. 19. The accumulator module (1913) generally comprises programming which processes semantic data to produce video game level data based at least in part upon semantic data. Generally, the accumulator (1913) produces video game level data based upon the functional meaning applied to one or more glyphs (1919) and/or characteristics thereof identified in the preprocessed image data. In an embodiment, video game level data is generated in a format used or usable by a driver, engine, or renderer as a playable video game level. In an embodiment, the engine, driver, or renderer using said video game level data is Unity™. In an alternative embodiment, the engine or driver may be other programs such as, but not limited to, is GameMaker™ or Game Salad™. In an embodiment, video game level data is stored on computer-readable non-transitory media as a logical or physical file or stored in memory and may be transmitted to or received from a module or computer.

For any given use case domain, the recognizer and/or semantic modules may be preprogrammed or otherwise supplied with the glyph language. The language may be generally known or associated in the use case domain with certain meanings, or may be developed for a particular or specific use case domain. By way of example and not limitation, a use-case domain may be or comprise: video games; a platform video game; a racing video game; an isometric adventure video game; storyboarding; music and/or music notation; network design; electrical design; Braille; web design; architecture; software design; modeling; model trains and/or logistics; electric or circuit design; medical and/or biological; presentations; welding; HVAC; 3D printing; sports and play design; automotive; 3D models of blocks, including but not limited to an orthogonal layout of blocks such as that depicted in FIGS. 21A and 21B, or interlocking blocks such as Legos™ or Duplos™; object recognition; mapping; geocaching; construction; drafting; interior design; exterior design; landscape design; gardening; occupational therapy; physical therapy; educational therapy; learning tools; fashion design; manufacturing; product design; industrial engineering; board game design; table top gaming design; card game design; jewelry design; surveying; stratification; cores; live tracing; data entry; quality grading, including but not limited to collectables, baseball cards, comic books, and antiques; scrapbooking; mathematics; physical training; notes and calendars; OCR knowledge search; origami and/or balloon animals; medical imaging; and/or other such domains.

In an alternative embodiment, specific use case domains may be defined or provided which define a glyph language for that domain and the associated functional meaning of such glyphs in such language. As such, the meaning of a glyph may vary between use case domains, and even between related or similar use case domains. By way of example and not limitation, a use case domain may be a video game genre, such as a platformer in which the glyph “X” has the semantic meaning of a surface capable of supporting a sprite, such as but not limited to an avatar. However, in an alternative use case domain, such as an isometric realtime roleplaying game, the glyph “X” may have the semantic meaning of impassable terrain. In a still further use case domain, such as landscape design, the glyph “X” may indicate an existing structure to be demolished and removed.

In an embodiment, the video game level data may also be generated at least in part using a sprite sheet, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 10 this disclosure. An embodiment of a level generated from artwork and a sprite sheet is depicted in FIG. 11.

In an embodiment, the user may view, edit, and revise the video game level data, including but not limited to by drawing or re-drawing the level changing images, sounds, and music included in the generated game level. This may be done, among other reasons, to correct rendering or translation errors. Generally, the user performs these functions using a computer application, an embodiment of which is depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13. In an embodiment, the user may test the generated video game level data in an application, an embodiment of which is depicted in FIG. 14. The user may also view, play, or edit the generated level in an application, an embodiment of which is depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16. In an embodiment, a community feature facilitates level sharing and competition, including but not limited to through leaderboards, statistics, and integration into existing or future social networking platforms, and/or integrating social networking into the systems and methods. An embodiment of such an application is depicted in FIG. 17.

Also described herein is a system for creating a playable video game from a real-world model comprising, such as the system depicted in FIG. 19. In the depicted system, the system comprises a computer (1901) comprising software (1905) comprising one or more modules, a non-transitory computer-readable storage media (1921), and an image processing system (1903). In the depicted embodiment, the modules comprise a preprocessing module (1907), a recognizer module (1909), a semantic module (1911), and an accumulation module (1913). The depicted image processing system (1903) is a peripheral digital camera but in an embodiment, and as described elsewhere herein, the image processing system (1903) may be a different imaging system, and may be integrated into a computer. The image processing system (1903) may alternatively be, among other things, a peripheral or third-party device, including but not necessarily limited to a three-dimensional scanner which communicates with the computer (1901) and transmits or causes to be transmitted captured image data to the computer (1901). In a further embodiment, the image processing system (1903) is as the Microsoft Kinect™.

It should be noted that the depicted embodiments of FIGS. 21A and 21B have several advantages. First, the grid language can be simplified because the color of the blocks (1919) imparts additional meaning. This allows the grid language to be primarily chromatic in nature, with pictographic glyphs serving a more supplementary role. This can not only be more intuitive to users, who may more naturally associated colors with game literals, and thereby with functional elements (e.g., “brown” for ground and “blue” for water), but the process of arranging the game level requires a lower precision of fine motor skill. This enables younger users, who have sufficient fine motor school to place blocks but not to draw glyphs with sufficient precision, to use the system more effectively. The color-based glyph system also further enables younger users to use the system more effectively. The block-based system has other advantages as well, as spotted “bugs” or errors with the level design may be simpler. Further, in embodiments where the blocks differ chromatically but are generally the same shape and size, training and processing may be simpler and faster, and recognition may be more accurate.

The depicted embodiments of FIGS. 21A and 21B may also be implemented in expanded product offerings. By way of example and not limitation, users may simply use the blocks to draw pictures, with each sector or grid recess representing one pixel of the picture. This system can then be used so that younger users who, again, lack the fine motor skills to use a graphics editing program, can nevertheless create custom “skins” and icons for their games, or may simply use this feature as a generic image-creation tool for elementary graphic art design.

In an embodiment of the systems and/or methods described herein, the systems and/or methods further comprise displaying, conveying, or indicating to a user an image or representation of the based at least in part on preprocessed image data and/or glyph data. The systems and/or methods may further comprise editing or modifying preprocessed image data, glyph data, and/or semantic data based at least in part on user input provided to a computer system. In an embodiment, edited or modified preprocessed image data, glyph data, and/or semantic data may be produced or provided to a user in a non-digital format, including but not necessarily limited to by rendering or generating a recreation of the model. By way of example and not limitation, the systems or methods may display or render, or cause to be displayed or rendered, to the user a digital representation or impression of the model. The user may use editing software to modify the data, and/or the user may print or otherwise generate or create a modified hard copy of the model. For example, if an error occurs where a glyph is incorrectly recognized, the user may correct the glyph in the system, such as by changing the identity of the detected glyph, and then reprint the model based on the modified glyph data. Display and editing may be performed before, between, during, or after any method step or steps described herein.

In an embodiment, the model is not necessarily created by a user, but may be a pre-existing model. By way of example and not limitation, the model may be a terrain or satellite image of a geographic space, or a floor plan, and the glyphs may comprise geographic features. A user could thus use the systems and methods to create, for example, level data representative or indicative of the geography, or other features, of a real-world location, such as a neighborhood, building, or skyline.

In an embodiment, the systems and methods further comprise “splicing,” wherein a model is segmented into a plurality of grids, sections, sectors, or markers, and each segment is processed separately and/or independently. Such segmentation may be done on a glyph-by-glyph basis, or may use larger segments comprising a plurality of glyphs. In such an embodiment, multiple datasets indicative of at least part of said model and/or glyphs thereon may be generated and/or processed together, separately, and/or independently or interdependently. In an alternative embodiment, splicing comprises combining data indicative of a plurality of models and/or glyphs into a single dataset indicative of a model or a unified model. This may be done in an embodiment by, for example, arranging or sequencing a plurality of models in a preferred or defined layout or manner and imaging the plurality of models as a single model. By way of example and not limitation, in an implementation for a top-down adventure game, such as a game in the spirit of The Legend of Zelda™, multiple models may be drawn and imaged to represent each room of a dungeon or each section of the overworld. These models may be linked or joined in the video game level data into a cohesive video game level or video game world, such as by examining glyphs on the models indicating the relationship between different models, or using computerized editing tools to arrange the multiple models appropriately to generate the desired world.

By way of example and not limitation, a user may draft multiple game level models, image and process each model as provided herein, edit and refine each processed image, such as to correct errors and make modifications, reprint the modified model, arrange the printed models in proper sequence, and then re-imagine the sequenced levels as a single model.

In an embodiment, the systems and methods may comprise alternative means for detecting the presence and identity of a glyph block in the board, without necessarily using an imaging system. In such an embodiment, the alternative system performs the same essential function as the imaging system (and may additionally replace other components as well, as described elsewhere herein), in that the alternative system detects which glyphs are disposed on the game board and provides an indication of the position on the game board at which each of the various detected glyphs are located.

By way of example and not limitation, such a system may comprise RFID tags and antennas. Such systems have certain advantages over imaging systems, such as improved accuracy in both detection and identification. This may allow the system to be used effectively by players with less developed fine motor skills.

An exemplary embodiment of such a system is depicted in FIG. 22. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 22, the system includes a computer (2201), a “digital” or “smart” game board (2203) comprises a grid (2204), an antenna array (2205), and a base (2207). The depicted computer (2201) is generally a portable computing device, such as a tablet computer or smart phone, but any computer (portable or otherwise) capable of interfacing with the detection system may be used. The depicted game board (2203) is generally constructed of wood, plastic, or another similar durable material and comprises an orthogonal grid of square-shaped recesses each sized and shaped to accept one or more block glyphs (2209). The depicted grid (2204) is a 13×13 grid, though virtually any configuration is suitable for use with the systems and methods described herein.

The depicted glyphs (2209) are generally cubic blocks having similar size and shape and each containing a wireless transmitter, such as a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag (2213) which, when detected, can be used to not only determine where the block (2209) is disposed, but determine the identity of a video game element to which the block (2209) corresponds, as described in further detail elsewhere here. The glyph blocks (2209) may further comprise a rechargeable battery for powering the RFID tag. Such batteries may be rechargeable using wireless charging technologies, such as, but not necessarily limited to, inductive charging. In an embodiment using inductive charging, one or more induction coils are embedded in the game board (2203) and a second inductive coil is embedded in each glyph block (2209).

Those familiar with the art of RFID tags will understand that an RFID tag facilitates automatic identification and tracking of the objects to which the tags are attached. The RFID tag (2213) may contain electronically stored information. Passive RFID tags (2213) can be scanned or read using radio waves emitted from an antenna. This is also known as “interrogation” in the art. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 22, an RFID tag (2213) is embedded in each glyph block (2209) and includes electronically stored information indicative of the type of glyph block (2209) in which the tag (2213) is embedded. In an alternative embodiment, the RFID tag (2213) may contain an identifier associated with the color of the glyph block (2209). When the RFID tag (2213) is interrogated, the identifier may be received by an antenna. In embodiment, the received identifier may then be transmitted to the computer (2201) as described elsewhere herein, where it will be translated into the glyph type also as described elsewhere herein. Alternatively, such translation may be performed by a controller (2211) or other intermediate hardware systems, and the translated indication of the glyph type is then transmitted to the computer (2201) as described elsewhere herein.

The glyph block (2209) will also usually comprise an indicia of the RFID tag data. This indicia is generally simple, as its primary purpose is to inform the end-user of the RFID tag identifier for a given glyph block (2209). This is important because most end-user do not have ready access to the specialized equipment needed to read and understand the RFID tag data. For example, all “red” glyph blocks (2209) may have an RFID tag identifier of “1”, and all “blue” glyph blocks (2209) may have an RFID tag identifier of “2.” Thus, if a user places a blue block (2209) on the grid (2204), the RFID tag (2213) embedded in that glyph block (2209) has electronically stored thereon the identifier “2” regardless of which specific blue block (2209) is placed. When the “2” is scanned from the RFID tag (2213) (i.e., by an interrogation beam from an antenna), the position of the detected block (2209) having the “2” is determined, and that position, along with the “2,” is transmitted to the computer (2201). As such, the RFID system serves a functional role similar to that of the camera. As with an imaging system, it is up to other software in the system to determine the meaning of that glyph block (2209) at that position.

Although in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 2, the visual indicia is color, other indicia are possible and are specifically contemplated by this disclosure. By way of example and not limitation, such alternatives may comprise, shape, size, or a text or other symbol printed or otherwise indicated on a face of the glyph block (2209).

As described elsewhere herein, the game board (2203) is used by an end-user disposing in the recesses of the grid (2203) one or more glyph blocks (2209) including RFID tags (2213), and the RFID tags (2213) are interrogated using radio waves emitted from one or more antennas to determine the position of each glyph block (2209) on the game board (2203), and the identification of each glyph at each position. Or, stated differently, the RFID tags (2213) interrogated to determine which recesses have glyph blocks (2209) disposed therein and, for each recess with a glyph block, an identification of the type of glyph block (2209). The interrogation beam is generally produced by one or more antennas.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that an “antenna” may refer to either a single wire or coil energized to transmit or receive signals, but may also refer to a logical antenna containing a plurality of coils configured to operate in concert. As used herein, the term coil means a single wire loop or coil, and the term “antenna” can mean either a physical antenna (comprising one coil) or a logical antenna (comprising a plurality of coils operating in concert).

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 22, the system comprises one or more antennas arranged into an antenna array (2205). The array generally comprises a plurality of antennas for detecting the presence, location, and type of glyph block (2209) disposed on the grid (2204) of the game board (2203). The array (2205) may be embedded within the game board (2203) and is generally disposed beneath it so that the recesses are not obstructed by the array (2205).

Due to the relatively close proximity of the recesses in the depicted game board (2203), a single antenna may not be able to reliably determine the location and identification of each glyph block (2209). That is, in a configuration comprising a single antenna disposed in the board (2203), multiple recesses are disposed approximately the same distance from the antenna, making it difficult to isolate a single glyph block (2209). One or more movable antenna systems may be used to address this challenge.

However, in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 2, the antenna array (2205) comprises a plurality of coils. The depicted embodiment comprises one coil for each recess in the grid (2204). The coils are typically configured and/or disposed in a switch array configured to sequentially switch each individual coil on to generate an interrogation beam from each coil and scan the recess, and then switch that same coil off before switching the next coil on. In this fashion, the game board (2203) is scanned by switching on each coil individually and sequentially, one at a time. By energizing each coil in isolation, and thus generating an interrogation wave from each coil sequentially and in isolation, the overall power requirements of the system are reduced and interference from competing interrogation beams is reduced. This localizes the interrogation footprint and more effectively isolates interrogations between and among the various recesses, sufficiently reducing the incidence of false positives (i.e., erroneous detection of a glyph in a neighboring recess). Although many possibly configurations are possible, in the depicted embodiment, the switch array is fabricated on a printed circuit board.

It is preferred that the entire grid (2204) is scanned (i.e., the complete switching sequence to interrogate all recesses is started and completed) within one second. This has several advantages. First, it improves the user experience, as the user does not have to wait for the scan to complete. If the scan takes too long, the user may be tempted to reposition blocks (2209), or the board (2203) could get bumped, causing a block (2209) to fall out of place. This also increases the user experience in that the implementation details are hidden from the user, allowing the user experience to feel more intuitive and “magical.” In one embodiment, the duration of a complete scan is one second or less. In further embodiments, the duration of a complete scan may be: less than 500 milliseconds, less than 100 milliseconds, less than 10 milliseconds, or less than 1 millisecond.

In an alternative embodiment, fewer antennas or coils may be used. That is, in such an alternative embodiment, the system may include fewer coils than recesses, meaning at least one coil is used to detect the position and/or identification of a plurality of glyph blocks (2209) for a plurality of recesses in the game board (2203). Such a system has cost, power, and speed advantages.

In the depicted embodiment, the switching logic is activated and controlled by a control unit or microcontroller (2211). The controller (2211) is generally in wired communication with the switch array and coils and contains appropriate circuitry and/or programming to operate the components of the system as described herein.

The system may further comprise a base (2207). In the depicted embodiment, the base (2207) includes a rechargeable battery, which powers the controller (2211), array (2205) and associated circuits and antennas/coils, and other electric or electronic components. The base (2207) or array (2205) may further comprise elements for induction recharging of the batteries in the glyph blocks (2209). The depicted base (2207) is disposed beneath the grid (2204). The grid (2204), array (2205), and base (2207) may be configured such that these components can be, or are, assembled into a single enclosed and/or integrated game board (2203) for sale.

The embodiment of FIG. 22 generally operates similar to other embodiments described herein, except that instead of using an imaging system of the computer (2201) to detect and identify blocks, the transmitters in the glyph blocks (2209) are detected by the antenna array (2205). When an interrogation sweep of the board is conducted and one or more glyph blocks (2209) are detected in various recesses on the grid (2204) by the coils for each such recess, the coil generates a signal to the controller (2211). The controller (2211) then generally transmits, or causes to be transmitted, to the computer (2201) information about which recesses were detected to have a glyph block (2209), and what type of glyph block (2209) was detected in each recess. The system may also transmit “blanks”—recesses where no glyph block was detected.

This transmission may be by wired or wireless connection to the computer (2201), but wireless is preferred. In an embodiment using wireless communication, the controller (2211) will generally communicate with the computer (2201) using a short-range radio link, such as, but not limited to, the Bluetooth® protocol. A standardized short-range radio protocol is preferred for compatibility with existing computer products (2201), as most smart phones and tablet computers support Bluetooth®. Alternatives such as near-field communication and beacon technologies may also be used. Wired options include a serial cable, such as, but not necessarily limited to, the universal serial bus (“USB”) protocol. This transmitter (2215) may be coupled to, or integrated with, the controller (2211).

In an embodiment, the system may continually monitor the state of the game board (2203) in real time, or “live,” such as by continuous scanning the game board (2203) and transmitting the state (i.e., the locations and identifications of glyphs disposed on the board (2203)) to the computer (2201). However, such a system will consume substantial power, rapidly depleting the batteries and reducing the operational life of the system on a single battery charge.

Alternatively, the state of the game board (2203) may be polled or scanned only when directed. For example, the game board (2203) may further comprises a button or other user control to instruct the system to conduct an interrogation scan and transmit the position and identification of glyphs to the computer (2201). Additionally, or alternatively, the end-user software on the computer (2201) may comprise a user interface control serving the same function, and may use the communication link with the game board (2203) (wired or wireless) to instruct the game board (2203) to conduct an interrogation sweep and transmit the board state data back to the computer (2201).

The system may be better understood with reference to an example. Suppose a user places a green glyph block (2209), having an RFID tag with electronically stored data indicative of a green glyph block (2209) embedded therein, in the top left square of the grid (2204). During an interrogation scan, the coil for the top-left square is then energized and detects the presence of the block (2209) and then detects the electronically stored identifier for a green block. This information—an indication of the recess in which the block (2209) was detected and the electronically stored information in the RFID tag (e.g., a color identifier)—is then caused by the controller (2211) to be transmitted to the computer (2201) via the wireless link.

It should be noted that the indication of the recess in which the block (2209) was detected may be represented in a number of ways. For example, each recess may be assigned a serial number, and the serial number is transmitted with the appropriate identifier. That is, the top-left corner is 0, the next glyph down is 1, and so on through each of the recesses in the 13×13 array, numbering the recesses from 0 to 168. In the above example, the computer (2201) would receive data indicating that a green block was detected in recess 0. Alternatively, a coordinate position may be used, where the top-left recess is (0,0) or (1,1), or the central glyph is (0,0), making the top-left glyph (−6,6). In a still further alternative, the recess may be identified internally via circuitry with respect to the coil. That is, the circuit architecture and coil placement may be configured such that the controller simply transmits the data received on a specific line from a specific coil as the glyph data for the top-left recess. In this case, the indicia of which recess contains the glyph is not necessarily a literal identifier, but rather differentiation is based on circuit architecture. In a still further embodiment, a serialized data stream may be used, with the positional information being implicit in the stream position. Other techniques known in the art may also be used.

In a smart game board (2203) embodiment such as that depicted in FIG. 22, the data received by the computer (2201) is generally analogous to the image data received in other embodiments described herein. The smart game board (2203) is, functionally, in the role of the imaging system, and may also eliminate the need for the preprocessing and recognition modules, as the output of the interrogation scan which is provided to the computer (2201) is, essentially, glyph data—a set of data comprising the location of glyphs on the external module and the identification of the glyph. This glyph data may be provided to the semantic module for translation into a game element as described elsewhere herein with respect to other embodiments.

The game board (2203) may also be used to generate game literals (i.e., the visual appearance of a game element in the game). In such a use case, the game board (2203) functions in the same manner as described elsewhere herein, but instead of the output being provided to the semantic module for translation, glyph literals are used to create, in effect, a 13×13 pixel “skin” as a game literal, though, due to the resolution of modern displays, the literal displayed is not actually 13×13 pixels, but rather is scaled up to a larger resolution to simulate the pixelated “retro” visual style now popular in gaming. In such a use case, the semantic module is not needed because there is no translation to be performed. Rather, the glyph blocks in such a use case have no symbolic meaning but rather are translated only literally (i.e., “green block” translates to “green pixel,” as opposed to a functional game element such as “ground” or “movable platform”).

These systems and methods allow the user to not only bridge the toy-to-game gap, but also to do so using the user's own imagination, and not merely the preprogrammed creations of game designers, giving the user more license to design his or own original creations.

While this invention has been disclosed in connection with certain preferred embodiments, this should not be taken as a limitation to all of the provided details. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, and other embodiments should be understood to be encompassed in the present disclosure as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 

1. A game board comprising: a grid of recesses; an antenna array configured to interrogate each of said recesses for the presence of a radio-frequency identification tag therein; and a control unit communicatively coupled to said antenna array and configured to receive therefrom signals indicative of whether a radio-frequency identification tag is detected in each of said recesses.
 2. The game board of claim 1, said antenna array comprises a plurality of antennas and said control unit is further configured to interrogate each of said recesses for the presence of a radio-frequency identification tag by sequentially energizing each of said plurality of antennas.
 3. The game board of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter coupled to said control unit.
 4. The game board of claim 3, wherein said control unit is further configured to cause said transmitter to transmit information identifying each of said recesses in which a radio-frequency identification tag is detected.
 5. The game board of claim 4, wherein said a control unit is further configured to receive from said antenna array, for each radio-frequency identification tag detected in one of said recesses, an identifier for each said detected radio-frequency identification tags.
 6. The game board of claim 5, wherein said control unit is further configured to cause said transmitter to transmit each of said identifiers.
 7. The game board of claim 3, wherein said transmitter is a wireless transmitter.
 8. The game board of claim 7, wherein said wireless transmitter communicates via a short-range radio protocol.
 9. The game board of claim 1, wherein each recess is sized and shaped to accommodate a generally cubic block containing a radio-frequency identification tag.
 10. A method for detecting user-created art on a game board comprising: providing a game board comprising a grid of recesses, a base, an antenna array, and a control unit; interrogating, using said antenna array, each of said recesses for the presence of a radio-frequency identification tag; and receiving, at said control unit, signals indicative of whether a radio-frequency identification tag is detected in each of said recesses.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said antenna array comprises a plurality of antennas.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said interrogating step comprises sequentially energizing each of said plurality of antennas to interrogate said recesses for the presence of a radio-frequency identification tag.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: providing a transmitter communicatively coupled to said control unit; transmitting, using said transmitter, information identifying each of said recesses in which a radio-frequency identification tag is detected.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said receiving step further comprises receiving an identifier for each said detected radio-frequency identification tag.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said transmitting step further comprises transmitting each of said detected identifiers.
 16. The game board of claim 13, wherein said transmitter is a wireless transmitter.
 17. The game board of claim 16, wherein said transmitting step uses a short-range radio protocol.
 18. A system for translating a player-created artwork on a physical game board into video game data comprising: a game board comprising: a plurality of recesses; an antenna array configured to interrogate each of said recesses for the presence of a radio-frequency identification tag therein; a transmitter; and a control unit configured to receive signals indicative of whether a radio-frequency identification tag is detected in each of said recesses and to cause said transmitter to transmit information identifying each of said recesses in which a radio-frequency identification tag was detected; and a computer system having a computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a microprocessor, cause said computer system to perform the steps of: receiving said transmitted information identifying each of said recesses in which a radio-frequency identification tag is detected; generating video game data based on said received information.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein: said a control unit is further configured to receive, for each radio-frequency identification tag detected in one of said recesses, an identifier for each said detected radio-frequency identification tag, and to cause said transmitter to transmit each said identifier; and said instructions further cause said computer system to perform the steps of: receiving said transmitted identifiers; and generating said video game data based on said received identifiers.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein said plurality of recesses comprise a square grid of recesses configured to accept a generally cubic block containing a radio-frequency identification tag. 